Kids from across the metropolitan area will be attending the first Special Olympics volleyball tournament hosted at Gretna High school today, April 23. Games will be played during the school day starting at 9:30 a.m after the opening ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Games will run until about 2 p.m., and the award ceremony will conclude the end of the tournament.
Amanda Gubbels, the Unified Sports manager at Special Olympics Nebraska, organized this volleyball tournament and reached out to all the surrounding schools to give this opportunity for kids. Gubbels also helps to find volunteers to be referees and to help during the award ceremony being held at the end of the tournament.
“It provides an inclusive competition setting for everyone despite their ability level,” Gubbels said. “And just to bring people together to have that sense of belonging and meaningful competition that they might not get other places.”
All games will be played in the main gym with two games played simultaneously. There will be nine schools there all together, with a total of 12 teams. In addition to Gretna High, the schools attending are Westside, Plattsmouth, Bennington, Burke, Elkhorn South, Omaha Westview, Millard South and Elkhorn. They are expecting between 72 and 100 student athletes.
Gubbels explained that events like this are very beneficial to everyone involved, giving a competitive safe space for them to play while also teaching them important life skills.
“ They also gain, like, not just sport experience, but also those social skills they get to work on with meeting new people and following a schedule,” Gubbels said.
Lots of students are looking forward to this tournament to be able to spend all day in a friendly competition. Some are just excited to be able to skip school.
“ My favorite part is getting out of school and try to get a break for learning,” said junior Owen Dziurawiec.
Gretna High will have three teams playing in the tournament. All students are welcome to attend the event and cheer on the athletes.
